Ice Maiden – the story

“Gordon Frickers & the Maiden Team combined to produce this painting which for me, the definitive image from that remarkable Whitbread race” ~ Tracy Edwards OBE.

Ice Maiden

Looking for the new masters of the 21 st century, the very best in modern painting investments?

You have found one here.

The yacht “Maiden“, according to her log, is shown in the Antarctic Ocean 50° 4′ South, on the morning of the 10th of November 1989, shortly after encountering icebergs.

Tracy and Howard Gibbons, meeting , interviewing them, to paint her yacht in action as she wanted ‘Maiden’ painted to support ~ ‘Maiden’ ~ with my modest talent, has been a pleasure and a privileged.

“Ice Maiden” has become a famous painting (to this date I have only 2 signed prints left, £147. each), “Maiden Home” was commissioned last year.

The race exists today as the Volvo Ocean Race and is the world’s premier offshore race.

This may be your last chance to grab and treasure one of the only 2 remaining prints signed by the captain and artist as a numbered edition price £147.00 each including postage.

The race still exists today billed as The Volvo Ocean Race, the world’s premier offshore race.

About this marine painting:
Numerous ideas were discussed with Tracy Edwards, for example when the girls entered Miami provocatively wearing teeny weenie bikinis.

Tracy felt that this was the moment that for the crew epitomized what the race was about for her & all her team.

Tracy Edwards first comment on seeing the finished painting at the Royal Southampton Yacht Club was “WOW“.

In discussion with me Tracy felt for them the defining moment was as shown in this painting about which when she saw it completed at the Royal Southampton Yacht Club Tracy Edwards first word was “Wow”!

The yacht’s log book and crew interviews helped inspire this painting.

The renowned marine photographer Rick Tomlinson generously provided photo references and of course I took a long searching look at the boat.

This painting had the honour of being exhibited in the European Parliament, Brussels (May 2011).

The achievement demonstrated by these women silenced their many critics who insisted an all women team would never complete the race.

A typical comment was “the women will fall out long before the voyage is done”.

The team defied them by winning 2 of the most demanding legs of the race with what was clearly not ‘a money is no object’ boat, and by returning to a thoroughly deserved hero’s reception at Freemantle, Auckland, Florida and finally at Ocean village, Southampton.

I was asked, an honour, by the then head of paintings, if I would give this painting, 'Ice Maiden' to the National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, London.

At that time I had a young family and high hopes of a sale so I declined.
Despite the honour, I am glad I did decline.

"Ice Maiden" was eventually sold to the redoubtable Tracy Edwards, remains today, it remains a splendid example of my work, last shown when I was invited to give a one man show, an exhibition at the European Parliament, Brussels (May 2011).

This painting was among those honoured by being exhibited, by invitation, at the European Parliament, Brussels (May 2011).

A book and a film of the challenge were produced.

You can find the latter on Utube, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tKCebH-CXZs

This painting, “Ice Maiden” is an inspiration to all who struggle in particular, against blind prejudice.